Archives for April 2002

‘Agent Kennard McGuire said Robinson chose Buffalo because of his close ties with coach Gregg Williams and defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, his former coaches in Tennessee. Also, the Titans could not guarantee the playing time on third down that Buffalo could.’

‘"To be honest, when you get involved in a draft, it’s never been a question here with Mr. Wilson of ‘Hey, we can’t afford this player,’ " general manager Tom Donahoe said Tuesday. "Mr. Wilson wants to win as much any of us and he knows that in order to win, you need good players and good players are going to be paid. So that’s not an issue."’

‘Robinson, 32, was the Titans’ second-leading tackler with 101 stops last season, giving him more than 100 tackles in a season for the fifth time in his career. He also had two interceptions, one sack, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.’

‘My story, and I’m sticking with it, is the Bills take one of four outstanding defensive tackles, depending on which one they liked most from their personal interviews in Orchard Park, along with what they’ve seen on film and from other sources on the players. Without knowing those intimate details, the front runner would appear to be Ryan Sims of North Carolina.’

‘"Obviously, we have to go to camp with more than two quarterbacks," Donahoe said. "Will that be another veteran? Will it be a draft pick? I don’t know the answer to that at this point."’

Miami’s OL was banged up last year but that’s just an excuse for a line that needs to get better, especially blocking for Ricky Williams now. The Jets need at least one more solid tackle to put in front of a great group of linebackers but the top four tackles won’t be around when they pick.

30. Buffalo Bills.

Exhausted and emotionally spent from trading down so many times, the Bills miss their 15 minutes on the clock as all personnel are out at Starbucks ordering double Rapazapafrapachinos. On the plus side, Buffalo has cornered the market on future sixth-round picks.

‘So the Bills need Bledsoe, and New England needs to get rid of him. Donahoe is considered conservative in his personnel decisions, but given the uncertainty of any rookie’s eventual success in the NFL, is there a safer pick than a proven quarterback who, at 30, should spend at least five more years in his prime?’

‘Over the years, though, he developed into an unquestioned leader among the Bills and something of a media spokesman for the players. By the time he signed a one-day contract so that he could retire in the city where he spent most of his career, Thomas had become one of football’s elder statesmen.’

‘"Our partnership with the Bills makes perfect sense for us and our customers. The new Tops Family Corner will give more Western New Yorkers the chance to see a game up close and in person. Further, through the sale of tickets at Tops locations we will provide greater convenience in purchasing game tickets for all Bills fans."’

‘What’s not to like about this kid? He’s a proven winner, and a proven leader.’

So much for tradition. When free-agent tight end Dave Moore asked for No. 83, the Bills gladly assigned him the number once worn by their all-time leading receiver Andre Reed. The Bills have retired only one number, Jim Kelly’s No. 12, but used to take numbers out of circulation for their all-time greats.

‘"I get a lot of letters, and a lot of them are on people feeling an inability to bring kids to the game," Donahoe said. "We don’t like that. We’ve got to do something to change that perception that might be out there."’

‘The Bills still have not replaced Wegmans as the title sponsor of training camp at St. John Fisher College.’

‘Tops and the Bills have inked a new multi-year deal which enables Bills fans to buy their game tickets at all 114 Tops locations in New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.’